St. Luke Hospitals: Sleep Disorder Centers

The St. Luke Hospitals Sleep Disorders Centers

Are you chronically fatigued or tired?
Does a poor night's sleep make you drowsy during the day?
Have you been told you have loud, disruptive snoring?
Is a lack of sleep affecting your ability to concentrate at work?
Do you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep?
Are you irritable with friends or family because you are tired?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be one of the 50 million adult Americans with a sleep disorder.

About one of every three adults has a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders affect every age, impact your quality of life and may lead to serious illness. But sleep disorders can be overcome.

The St. Luke Hospitals, with two fully accredited sleep centers, are helping hundreds of patients and their spouses rest easier.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

One of the most prevalent sleep disorders is obstructive sleep apnea. Breathing is momentarily stopped during sleep because of an obstruction in the breathing passage. This disorder affects between six and 10 million Americans and may cause high blood pressure, stroke, cardiac arrhythmias, depression and mood changes, difficulty losing weight, male impotence and mental impairment. It is often characterized by chronic fatigue and loud snoring. The disorder is treatable with methods such as nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), upper airway surgery and dental devices.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)

The sleep center's most frequent complaint of those who seek help is excessive daytime sleepiness. Adequate sleep is an essential part of good physical and emotional health. EDS may cause daily activities to be less enjoyable, unproductive and unsafe. Sleep disorders account for about 200,000 automobile accidents each year and approximately 50 percent of work-related accidents.

Insomnia

Insomnia, or difficulty sleeping, can have many different causes but is often effectively treated. However, it is important for the cause of the problem to be determined by a trained professional. Insomniacs report higher rates of social, emotional, health and work problems.

Common Causes of Sleep Troubles

Exercising or drinking caffeine too close to bedtime
Stressful events, such as death, divorce or a new job
Some medications can hinder good sleep

Only a trained sleep physician can determine the true cause of your sleep problem and recommend appropriate treatment.

Sleep Relief

Accredited by the American Sleep Disorders Association, The St. Luke Hospital Sleep Disorder Centers at St. Luke East and West offer the latest technology coupled with specially trained physicians and technicians who detect and treat sleep disorders.

Patients are referred to the Sleep Disorder Centers by physicians or through self-referral.

When you come to the Center, the medical director will conduct a physical exam and history evaluation. The evaluation may be the key to discovering the cause of the sleep problem. In other cases it may be necessary to monitor the patient one or more nights. Daytime nap studies may also be suggested.

Theses studies are conducted in a private, home-like room. State-of-the-art EEG equipment and closed circuit television record sleep patterns, breathing, heart activity and body movements.

The medical director, who also recommends methods of treatment, interprets the results. Treatment may involve learning relaxation techniques, CPAP or other non-surgical alternatives, medication or surgery to remove obstruction in the nose of throat.

Before You See the Doctor

Your doctor can help you if you clearly describe your sleep concern. Before speaking with your doctor, think of sleep symptoms that bother you and how often they occur. A sleep diary can help you collect this information. Don't wait for your regular checkup or another medical problem to see your doctor. If you suspect you have a sleep disorder, make an appointment to assess the situation. Speak with your bed partner about your sleep habits. You may experience many symptoms that your partner is more aware of than you.

Appointments

The St. Luke Sleep Disorders Centers are open seven days a week. Your physician may wish to call and arrange for your evaluation or you may make an appointment yourself. We can also arrange for a personal tour of The Sleep Disorders Centers.

Cost

Diagnostic and treatment costs vary depending on the sleep disorder. Call The St. Luke Hospitals Sleep Disorders Centers at 859-572-3535 and we will gladly give you an estimate of costs and help verify your insurance coverage.

Sleep Disorder Staff

Our highly skilled and experienced sleep centers staff includes physicians with the following board certifications: critical care medicine and sleep disorders medicine.

In addition, The St. Luke Hospitals Sleep Disorders Centers also utilize a well-trained group of technologists, including registered polysomnographic technologists.